The Arab delegation in Beirut

Source: NowLebanon, 14-05-2008
Both military operations and political responses seem to be on hold as of this morning, as all eyes are set on the Arab delegation, which arrived in Beirut this morning.
This delegation, which is headed by the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani, includes nine foreign ministers, including those from Algeria, Djibouti, Jordan, Morocco, The United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
The delegation is also expected to meet upon its arrival Speaker Nabih Berri, PM Fouad Siniora, Army Commander Michel Suleiman, MP Michel Aoun, MP Walid Jumblatt and MP Saad Hariri.
At the top of the agenda will be efforts to end an anti-government protest campaign by Hizbullah militants and their allies that has led to the shutdown of a number of major roads in Lebanon, including the highway to the airport.
There was speculation that the government, which is supposed to meet today, might revoke its recent decisions.
"Last chance for compromise or chaos," said Al-Akhbar newspaper, which is close to the opposition.
"May 14: The government rescinds its decisions... and the opposition ends its civil disobedience campaign," headlined the As-Safir newspaper which is also close to the opposition.
Hizbullah welcomed the Arab League but insisted that the delegation must be neutral. The opposition made an official statement yesterday welcoming the Arab delegation, expecting it to settle the crisis and pave the way to national dialogue. The dialogue, according to the statement, is required to reach an agreement on a "national unity government and an electoral law."
Aoun also welcomed the delegation yesterday but stressed that the solution should include a national-unity government and new electoral law. According to the opposition, the crisis will not be resolved if the government revoked its decisions. The opposition is thus trying to utilize the recent events to achieve its political objectives.
Aware that the delegation's visit might be an opportunity for the opposition to find a way out of the mess they have created over the past week. Former MP Nasser Qandil said yesterday that the Arab Ministerial delegation is "the last chance before Lebanon heads to hell."